Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Bear with me. One could make a reasonably accurate estimate of the cost. If one tells Mr. and Mrs Murphy that they will pay no more than a certain amount and one does not know for sure what the gross price the market provider will charge is going to be, one cannot accurately cost what this will involve. That is the reality from where I sit. Of course we look at different examples. Different countries have done different things but, in general, they are stepping back and withdrawing. We have seen that in the UK in the past number of weeks. As I see it, the focus from the political system should be on ensuring that these price reductions at wholesale level are passed on to consumers as quickly as possible.

On the 9% VAT rate for tourism and hospitality, I provided the economic assessment to the Deputy, which my Department completed. The document should be available publicly.